Southern New Hampshire University’s Department of Nursing celebrated its first class of baccalaureate nursing graduates at the inaugural nursing pinning ceremony on May 9 in Manchester, N.H., according to a news release.

Surrounded by family and friends, each nursing student received an SNHU nurse’s pin, signifying completion of the program and dedication to the profession. The students graduated during commencement ceremonies on May 10.

“To the nurse educators who made this happen, I cannot tell you how grateful we are that you’ve gotten this program up and running in a short time,” said Patricia Lynott, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “And it’s going to be the best nursing program in the state of New Hampshire.”

The nurse’s pin is inscribed with the school and program names, as well as three important words: “service,” “scholarship” and “practice.” These words symbolize a nurse’s charge to serve, participate in scholarship and uphold the standards of practice.

“With the help of our peers and faculty, we have challenged ourselves to further our knowledge of the science, and have explored, reshaped and reframed our perceptions of the art of nursing and solemn responsibility of caring for our community,” McCloud said in the speech. “On this day, we can again rededicate ourselves to our vocation with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose.”

The mission of the SNHU Department of Nursing is to be a leader in providing quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education with distinction in scholarship, service and practice.